Carrie Stevens II

One of the true parents of streamer fly fishing, particularly in New England, she brought forth the Gray Ghost. The popularity of her 25 years of fly tying is exemplified by this fly, a streamer that has traveled not only throughout the United States but all over the world.

Mrs. Carrie G. Stevens is one of the true parents of streamer fly fishing, particularly in New England. From her home in Upper Dam (at the outlet of Mooselookmeguntic Lake as it flows into Richardson Lake in Maine's Rangeley Lakes Region), she brought forth the Gray Ghost. The popularity of her 25 years of fly tying is exemplified by this fly, a streamer that has traveled not only throughout the United States but all over the world.
A bit over a year ago, Bob Skehan used this web site to feature the creations of Carrie Stevens. He presented 20 well-known patterns of hers. During her fly-tying career, she created many different fly patterns, but until recently, few in addition to these 20 were available in print. In the last few months, however, two books have been printed that feature the flies of Carrie Stevens. The first (Hilyard, G.R. and L.K. Hilyard. 2000. Carrie G. Stevens Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA) focuses completely on Carrie's work and includes 93 patterns and photographs of over 60 flies tied by her. The second (Schmookler, P. and I. V. Sils. 1999. Forgotten Flies. The Compete Sportsman, Millis, MA) features five tyers and includes about 170 Carrie Stevens patterns and some of the most beautiful photographs of streamer flies ever produced. This large number of "new" patterns were collected from numerous private holdings and a few museum collections.
Bob Skehan, in his earlier feature, stated "No page featuring New England Streamers would be complete without a portion dedicated to Carrie G. Stevens." The importance of Mrs. Stevens to the development of New England Streamers warrants at least two portions of this site dedicated to her work. These two new books have provided the material on which this feature is based. Please note that the origin of some of these flies is unclear. Without question, they were tied and sold by Mrs. Stevens. However, some may have been her version of a fly originating with another tyer. We have attempted to include only those that are most reliably attributed to Carrie Stevens.

Wes Autio

ALLIE'S DELIGHT

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Yellow schlappen

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WEEK

Two white hackles, outside of which are two grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

ALL ORANGE

Submitted By Chris Del Plato

HOOK

6X long streamer

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

Orange bucktail

THROAT

Orange hackle fibers

WING

Six orange saddle hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

AMERICA

Submitted By Glenn Seibert

HOOK

Partridge Carrie Stevens CS15 #4

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

White hackle fibers

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

White hackle fibers

WING

Two white hackles, outside of which are two red hackles, outside of which are two blue hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with bands of red, white, and blue

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

BIG BEN

Submitted By Bob Skehan

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

BODY

Red silk

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Yellow grizzly

UNDERWING

Silver pheasant crest

WING

Two white hackles, outside of which are two yellow grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Golden pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

BLACK CAT

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Red schlappen

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Black schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four black hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

TOP

Red schlappen

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Flat silver tinsel

BLUE CHARM

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Mustad 94720 #2

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Yellow schlappen

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

WING

Four blue hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange or red band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

NOTE

This fly may have been Mrs. Stevens' version of a salmon fly of the same name.

BLUE DRAGON

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Yellow schlappen

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

WING

Two gray hackles, outside of which are two blue hackles, outside of which are two grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

CANARY

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Black schlappen

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

Yellow bucktail

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

WING

Six yellow hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

TOP

Red schlappen

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

CANARY CUSTOM

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

WING

Six yellow hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

CHARLES E. WHEELER

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Red silk floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

White schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four gray hackles

SHOULDER

Red hen over barred teal

CHEEK

Jungle cock

TOP

Red schlappen

HEAD

Flat silver tinsel

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard and Schmookler & Sils

DEMON

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 6X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

White schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Lady Amherst pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Flat silver tinsel

EMBDEN FANCY

Submitted By Bob Petti

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

BODY

Flat Silver Tinsel

BELLY

White Bucktail

THROAT

Gray Mallard Flank Fibers

UNDERWING

Four to six strands of peacock herl

WING

wo blue hackles, outside of which are two orange hackles, outside of which are two yellow grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

FIREFLY

Submitted By Bob Petti

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White Bucktail

THROAT

Gray Hackle Fibers

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Two gray hackles, outside of which are two yellow hackles, outside of which are two orange hackles (slightly shorter)

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

F.R.S. FANCY

Submitted By Chris Del Plato

HOOK

6X long streamer

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

White hackle fibers

WING

Orange bucktail, over which is brown bucktail

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

GOLDEN WITCH

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White goat (or bucktail) past bend

THROAT

Grizzly hackle

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Golden pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

GOLDEN WITCH SPECIAL

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

Grizzly hackle

UNDERWING

Four to five peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Lady Amherst pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Schmookler & Sils

GOLDEN WITCH VARIATION #1

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Brown millinery thread

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White goat past bend

THROAT

Grizzly hackle

UNDERWING

Four to five peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Golden pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Flat silver tinsel

GOLDEN WITCH VARIATION #2

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Black floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

WING

Four grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Lady Amherst pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Large jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Schmookler & Sils

GREEN WEAVER

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Olive schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Two olive hackles, outside of which are two white hackles (slightly shorter)

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

GREEN WITCH

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

Golden pheasant crest, below which in green grizzly hackle

UNDERWING

Four to five peacock herls

WING

Four green grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Large jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

GREY WITCH

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

Orange hackle

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Schmookler & Sils

GREY WITCH CUSTOM

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

White hackle

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Large jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Schmookler & Sils

GREY WITCH VARIATION #1

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Thick red millinery thread

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

Golden pheasant crest curving upward

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Large jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Schmookler & Sils

GREY WITCH VARIATION #2

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Thick red millinery thread

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

Golden pheasant crest curving upward

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

CHEEK

Large jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Schmookler & Sils

HAMMERHEAD

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Mustad 94720 #2

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Red floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

Four to six peacock herls, below which is white bucktail

THROAT

Orange schlappen, below which is black schlappen

WING

Two orange hackles, outside of which are two black hackles (slightly shorter)

SHOULDER

Golden pheasant tippet

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

HAPPY GARRISON

Submitted By Bob Skehan

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

White hackle fibers, below which is a short golden pheasant crest feather

UNDERWING

Long golden pheasant crest feather

WING

Two pink hackles, outside of which are two golden pheasant hackles (slightly shorter)

SHOULDER

Yellow golden pheasant rump feather

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

HUMMER

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

White schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Four grizzly hackles

SHOULDER

Wood duck (barred)

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Flat silver tinsel

INDIAN ROCK

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

White schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Two red hackles, outside of which are two olive hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a red head with a black band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

JENNY LIND

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

Yellow bucktail

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

UNDERWING

Golden pheasant crest

WING

Four blue hackles

SHOULDER

Red duck

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a red head with a black band

SOURCE

Flat silver tinsel

NOTE

The origin of this fly is unclear and may not be an original Stevens pattern.

JITTERBUG

Submitted By Dave Talley

HOOK

Heritage Allcock #2

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Black hackle fibers

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Two green hackles, outside of which are two orange hackles, outside of which are two pink hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard; Schmookler & Sils

LADY KILLER

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Partridge Carrie Stevens CS15 #4

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Red schlappen

BODY

Red floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

White schlappen

WING

Two yellow hackles, outside of which are two white hackles

SHOULDER

Red hen

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with bands of black, red, black, and red

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

LAKEWOOD

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Orange schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Two black hackles, outside of which are two olive hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

LARRY'S SPECIAL

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Orange schlappen

BODY

Black floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Orange schlappen

WING

Two white hackles, outside of which are two black hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

MERRY WIDOW

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Mustad 94720 #2

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Yellow schlappen

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

WING

Four red hackles, outside of which are two white hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

MICKEY DOODLE

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

BODY

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

Yellow bucktail

THROAT

Yellow schlappen

WING

Two red hackles, outside of which are two yellow hackles

SHOULDER

Red duck

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

ORANGE MILLER

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

BODY

Flat gold tinsel

BELLY

Orange bucktail

THROAT

Orange schlappen

WING

Four orange hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard

RAPID RIVER

Submitted By Bob Skehan

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange silk

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Green hackle fibers, below which are pink hackle fibers, below which is a short golden pheasant crest feather

WING

Two lime-green hackles, outside of which are two gray hackles

SHOULDER

Gray mallard flank

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with an orange band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

ROYAL TIGER

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Red schlappen

BODY

Red floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

THROAT

Red schlappen

WING

Four golden badger hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a red head with a black band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

VICTORY

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

TAIL

Red schlappen

BODY

Red floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Red schlappen

WING

Two blue hackles, outside of which are two gray hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with bands of red, white, and blue

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

WATER WITCH

Submitted By Lindsey Grandison

HOOK

Mustad 94720 8 X

BODY

Red floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail past bend

THROAT

Light olive hackle, below which is a golden pheasant crest

UNDERWING

Four to five peacock herls

WING

Two light olive hackles, outside of which are two grizzly hackles (slightly shorter)

SHOULDER

Yellow golden pheasant rump

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with a red band

SOURCE

Hilyard & Hilyard: Schmookler & Sils

WHITE DEVIL

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Black floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

White bucktail

THROAT

Blue schlappen

UNDERWING

Four to six peacock herls

WING

Two orange hackles, outside of which are two white hackles

SHOULDER

Brown barred partridge

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band

SOURCE

Flat silver tinsel

WHITE GHOST

Submitted By Wes Autio

HOOK

Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8X

TAG

Flat silver tinsel

BODY

Orange floss

RIB

Flat silver tinsel

BELLY

Four peacock herls, below which is white bucktail

THROAT

White schlappen, below which is a golden pheasant crest

UNDERWING

Golden pheasant crest

WING

Four white hackles

SHOULDER

Four white hackles

CHEEK

Jungle cock

HEAD

Carrie Stevens tied it with a black head with either a red or orange band